Apple Raisin Cheesecake Bars

appleraisincheesebar

Crust and Topping:
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1/3 cup butter or butter flavored shortening

Cream Cheese Layer:
1 – 8oz pkg cream cheese, softened (can substitute neufchatel or light cream cheese)
1 egg
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 – 1 tsp vanilla (eg. 1 capful)

Fruit Layer:
1 apple (Granny Smith is best)
1/4 cup raisins (can increase, or omit; golden raisins are best, but can substitute dark raisins)
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
pinch nutmeg and allspice (optional)

1. Stir together rolled oats, flour and sugars. Cut in butter or shortening until mixture forms large crumbs.
Set aside 1/2 cup of crumble mixture for topping.

2. Grease 8 x 8 pan and press crumb mixture into bottom to form crust. Bake at 350*F for about 12 minutes, until set but NOT browned. Remove from oven and set on cooling rack to cool.

3. With electic mixer, beat cream cheese, egg, 1/4 cup sugar and vanilla at medium speed until smooth and blended. Spread over cooked crust.

4. Peel, core and chop apple fairly fine (this will help ensure they cook to tender more quickly). Combine with raisins, sugar, cinnamon, and optional almond extract and other spices. Spoon evenly over cream cheese layer.

5. Sprinkle reserved oat crumble over the top.

6. Bake at 350*F for 25 – 30 minutes until top is golden and apples are tender.

7. Cool and cut into bars.

Note: If you have someone in the house who doesn’t like raisins, just sprinkle them over part of the apples.

applecheesebar